Match Recap: Chicago Fire 2, Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire secured their passage into the fifth round of the US Open Cup with a somewhat fortuitous rule call when stormy weather deemed the match unplayable after taking a 2-1 halftime lead over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Toyota Park on Wednesday.

With the game delayed almost two hours before kick off because of torrential rain, thunder and lightning, the hosts forged a 2-0 lead by the 39th minute through close-range strikes from Grant Ward and Mike Magee.

However, the USL PRO visitors struck back through Andrew Marshall to leave them trailing 2-1 at the break.

And just as referee Alex Chilowicz was about to get the second half underway, the heavens reopened and the players were called off the pitch.

The players returned over an hour later an played three minutes before the game was abandoned. Subsequently, per US Open Cup regulations, the Fire were declared winners of the tie, having held a halftime lead, and they will now progress to face the Columbus Crew in the next round.